Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Video: meet Snoop the
sniffer dog, Kent Police's latest recruit

by Joanna Earle

jearle@thekmgroup.co.uk

Kent Police are sniffing out new
recruits - applicants should have a wet nose and waggy tail.

The force has 50 working dogs at
any one time and is always looking for more dogs to join the team
in case of injury or illness.

In previous years the force has
recruited dogs from people who are no longer able to look after or
afford the animals and they have been given as "gifts" to the
force.

Inspector Jason Brown, head of the
dog section, said: "Kent Police can offer dogs a good home, a
stimulating work environment and basically a good future.

"The breeds that Kent Police
usually train as working dogs are German shepherds for patrol
work.

"Labradors, retrievers and spaniels
are used as detection dogs, although cross breeds with the correct
temperament may also make good police dogs."

Insp Brown added: "We’d like dogs
to be sociable, confident, full of character and with a high drive
which gives us something to work on and train up from there.

"We have enjoyed great success
thanks to using these highly-trained dogs.

"We have been able to find missing
people by dogs following their scent and our dogs are a valuable
tool in identifying drugs, weapons or explosives"

He said the main job role was
routine operational police work and a variety of incidents.

For every 100 dogs, Kent Police may
only take one because of the requirements for the role.

The dog section is always looking
for potential police dogs, which are known as "gift dogs", these
are usually donated by members of the public, re-homing kennels or
guide dogs for the blind.

The force operates a puppy scheme
that provides it with some of the requirements, in addition to
buying from recognised breeders.

Members of the public can also
offer their pets as potential police dogs, but these must be no
more than two-and-a-half years old.

Dogs with medical conditions such
as epilepsy are not normally considered. The animals need to be
intelligent, energetic, full of character and well motivated.

Anyone who feels their dog
would make an ideal police dog can emailkentpolicegiftdogs@kent.pnn.police.uk.